The Niseko resort area is one of the most popular ski resort regions of Japan. Located to the west of Sapporo city on the eastern and southern slopes of Mt Niseko Annupuri and with stunning views of nearby Mt Yotei, it's often top quality dry powder snow conditions are now popular with skiers and snowboarders from around the world. Niseko certainly has a different feel from many other Japanese ski resorts, if not only because of the higher percentage of visitors from around the world and subsequent catering to their needs.

Hokkaido is the second largest island of Japan and also the largest and northernmost prefecture (though it is not usually referred to as a prefecture). It has coastlines on the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and also the Pacific Ocean. Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido and was host to the 1972 Winter Olympics. Hokkaido is home to the largest number of ski hills in Japan. While the majority of them are very small, some of the larger ski and snowboard resorts in Hokkaido - mostly found in regions to the west and east of Sapporo - are amongst the most famous in Japan.

Previous Statistics

Niseko HANAZONO Resort Facilities

A number of ski and snowboard schools operate around the Niseko resort areas. Check our Lessons in English page for any current ski school listings on SnowJapan.

Equipment Rental

Ski Rental:

Available

Snowboard Rental:

Available

There are many ski and snowboard equipment and wear rental facilities are available around the Niseko resort areas, including at the base HANAZONO 308 building.

Children's facilities

The HANAZONO Tube Park is open from December until the end of March 2019 from 9:00am until 4:00pm. 2,500 yen per person for 60 minutes (ages 3 and above).

Park information

The HANAZONO Park features a few areas - the Jib Park for beginners (lower Silver Dream course) and the Sunset Beach for intermediates (upper Stairway to Heaven course). They are open from 1st December 2018 until 31st March 2019.

Niseko HANAZONO Resort Season & Opening Times

Typical season is from Early December until Early April

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

Daytime

Weekends and holidays

Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm

Weekdays

Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm

'Nighta' (night skiing)

Weekends and holidays

No

Weekdays

No

Opening information

Niseko HANAZONO is open from 8:30am until 4:30pm every day.

There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.

Niseko HANAZONO Resort Lift Ticket Charges

Adults

Child
Age 7-12

Older Child
Age 13-15

Senior
Age over 60

12 points

4,200 yen

3,100 yen

3,700 yen

3,700 yen

1 Day

7,400 yen

4,500 yen

5,600 yen

5,600 yen

2 Days

13,600 yen

8,200 yen

10,200 yen

10,200 yen

3 Days

19,800 yen

11,900 yen

14,900 yen

14,900 yen

4 Days

26,000 yen

15,600 yen

19,500 yen

19,500 yen

5 Days

32,200 yen

19,300 yen

24,200 yen

24,200 yen

6 Days

38,400 yen

23,100 yen

28,800 yen

28,800 yen

7 Days

44,600 yen

26,800 yen

33,500 yen

33,500 yen

8 Days

50,800 yen

30,500 yen

38,100 yen

38,100 yen

9 Days

57,000 yen

34,200 yen

42,800 yen

42,800 yen

10 Days

63,200 yen

37,900 yen

47,400 yen

47,400 yen

11 Days

69,400 yen

41,700 yen

52,100 yen

52,100 yen

12 Days

75,600 yen

45,400 yen

56,700 yen

56,700 yen

13 Days

81,800 yen

49,100 yen

61,400 yen

61,400 yen

14 Days

88,000 yen

52,800 yen

66,000 yen

66,000 yen

15 Days

94,200 yen

56,500 yen

70,700 yen

70,700 yen

16 Days

100,400 yen

60,300 yen

75,300 yen

75,300 yen

17 Days

106,600 yen

64,000 yen

80,000 yen

80,000 yen

18 Days

112,800 yen

67,700 yen

84,600 yen

84,600 yen

Free 50 Hours

64,000 yen

Season Ticket

115,600 yen

69,300 yen

86,700 yen

86,700 yen

** 2018-2019 LIFT TICKET PRICES **

The tickets shown are valid at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko HANAZONO, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resorts.

A returnable deposit of 1000 yen is required to purchase tickets.The charges shown are valid for the peak season period - Tuesday 11th December 2018 until Wednesday 20th March 2019.Cheaper lift tickets are available for early and late season periods before and after the above dates.Nighta (where available) is from Tuesday 11th December 2018 until Wednesday 20th March 2019.

The 8 Day Ticket can be used on any 8 days over a period of 10 consecutive days.The 9 Day Ticket can be used on any 9 days over a period of 11 consecutive days.The 10 Day Ticket can be used on any 10 days over a period of 12 consecutive days.The 11 Day Ticket can be used on any 11 days over a period of 13 consecutive days.The 12 Day Ticket can be used on any 12 days over a period of 14 consecutive days.The 13 Day Ticket can be used on any 13 days over a period of 15 consecutive days.The 14 Day Ticket can be used on any 14 days over a period of 16 consecutive days.The 15 Day Ticket can be used on any 15 days over a period of 18 consecutive days.The 16 Day Ticket can be used on any 16 days over a period of 19 consecutive days.The 17 Day Ticket can be used on any 17 days over a period of 20 consecutive days.The 18 Day Ticket can be used on any 18 days over a period of 21 consecutive days.

All day tickets are valid until the end of nighta on the final day of the ticket.

Note:Individual lift tickets that are valid at Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko HANAZONO are also available. Main season charges from December 11th 2018 until 20th March 2019:

Getting to Niseko HANAZONO Resort

By public transport

Train

5.8km from Kutchan Station on the Hakodate Honsen Line

Information

Kutchan Station on the Hakodate Honsen line is the main and most convenient train station used by people travelling to the Niseko area for the ski and snowboard resorts, though many people actually prefer to use direct bus services to Niseko from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.

Trains

Train services operate between Sapporo Station and Kutchan Station, with many requiring a transfer at Otaru Station on the way. With good connections this can be done in as little as around 100 minutes - but sometimes waiting for connections at Otaru can be fairly lengthy and greatly increase that time. During the winter season, there is a limited express 'Niseko Ski Express' service a few times a day which goes directly from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station using the Hakodate Honsen lines. This service takes around two hours. The Niseko Ski Express train stops at Niseko Station, Kutchan Station, Otaru Station, Otaru Chikko Station, Teine Station and Sapporo Station.

The journey from New Chitose Airport Station usually takes around 2.5-3 hours.

Buses

During the main winter months a number of private bus companies offer direct services to Niseko from Sapporo City and also from New Chitose Airport. These regular and convenient services are probably the most popular way to get to Niseko.

There are also a number of buses scheduled between Rusutsu and Niseko each day during the winter season. This journey usually takes around 40 minutes and costs around 1,000 yen.

The Niseko United Shuttle bus service operates from the opening day of the season until late in the season. It is free to use for anyone who has an Niseko All-Mountain Hourly Pass or a Day Pass lift ticket. People without those tickets can also board the bus at a small charge. The bus connects Kutchan Station and Niseko Station with the Hirafu Welcome Center and the other main ski resorts on the mountain with many drop off points on the route. There are four main routes.

There is also a Hanazono Shuttle bus service that goes from the Hirafu Welcome Center to the Hanazono resort area.

By Car

54.9km from the Kuromatsunai IC on the Kuromatsunai Shindo
66.1km from the Asari IC on the Sasson Expressway
67.6km from the Otaru IC on the Sasson Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 5 (4.8km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 343

Direction

The base of Niseko HANAZONO Resort base is about 6km from the central area of Kutchan town.

Getting to Niseko HANAZONO Resort from central Kutchan townHeading south from Kutchan Station on Route 5, turn right onto Prefecture Road 343. Follow this road and after about 2.5km turn right onto the road is signposted as Hanazono. At the end of the road turn left for the resort base and car park.

Approaching the Niseko region from Sapporo CityFrom central and the southern part of Sapporo City, take Route 230 south via the Nakayama Pass and Kimobetsu town. At the traffic lights on the far side of Kimbotsu town, turn right onto Route 276. This road continues through to Kutchan town. This route is about 100km and in normal conditions takes up to two and a half hours by car.

From areas to the north of Sapporo City either take the Sasson Expressway or Route 5 towards Otaru City. From the Asari IC exit turn right onto Prefecture Road 1 and then after a few hundred metres turn right again onto Prefecture Road 956. Kutchan and Akaigawa are on the main road signpost. After about 4km, turn left onto Route 393, also known as the Askaigawa National Highway. The road turn off for Kiroro resort is about 17km along this road. Continue on Route 393 following the signs through to Kutchan.

Alternatively continue on Route 5 through and beyond Otaru City. Route 5 generally follows the same route as the Hakodate Honsen train line through to the Niseko region. There are less of the curves on this route than there are on parts of Route 393, but it is a slightly longer drive (about 7km).

Approaching the Niseko region from New Chitose AirportFrom the main exit of New Chitose Airport, head towards Tomakomai on Route 36 and Prefecture Road 781. After 23km turn right onto Route 276 (signposted as Kimobetsu and Lake Shikotsu). Continue for about 18km and turn left at the signs to stay on Route 276. Go past Lake Shikotsu and keep following Route 276 signposted as Kuchan and Kimobetsu. On reaching the Route 230 junction, turning left goes into Rusutsu. For Niseko, turn right here onto Route 230 for just 1km before turning left to join Route 276 once again. Route 276 continues into central Kutchan town and the station area.

Enjoy the views of the northern slopes of Mt Yotei on the way!

This route is about 115km and in normal conditions takes up to two and a half hours by car.

More Information

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